The Organised Travel and Associated Travel Arrangements Law of 2017, number 186(I) of 2017, transposes the provisions of EU Directive 2015/2302 of 25 November 2015 on package travel and associated travel arrangements into Cyprus law.
The new law extends coverage beyond traditional package holidays organised by tour operators to other forms of combined travel such as a combination of a flight plus hotel or car rental put together on a website, customised packages selected by the traveller and bought from a single business online or offline and linked travel arrangements booked within 24 hours of each other.
The new rules give consumers stronger rights including:
- The right to receive adequate information on the package and the protection they are entitled to under the law;
- A limit on the extent to which the price can be increased after booking, beyond which travellers have the right to cancel their holiday free of charge;
- Stronger cancellation and transfer rights;
- Clear identification of the party responsible for resolving issues which subsequently arise;
- Clear liability for booking errors;
- Rights to refund and repatriation if the package organiser becomes insolvent.
In addition the Consumer Rights Law, number 133(I) of 2013, has also been amended to implement the provisions of Directive 2015/2302.
The changes will take effect on 1 July 2018.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
